Symbion Power

The journey of the last nine months to drive the deadline and commission this Trade Hub has had many hands of support. My wife and children endured my absence and long working hours to ensure we don’t fail. Patience not only joined me today but she prayed along with Dr. Muranga for the Hub effort to succeed. She wanted to see this come to life, and I thank her for not only being the rock of support she is to me now, 22 years of our friendship, but also for her prayer cover for the work I do for our country every day I step out of home. My brothers Bratislav Stoiljkovic and Mark Pursey, who fully embraced my vision for our country’s economy and the drive for change, have been wonderful examples of what is best in humanity. Our PACIED team, which I compel to work long hours and weekends, ensures my midnight calls are answered. They are great Ugandans, pushed beyond their comfort to deliver and have successfully accomplished a task. The coffee consortium and its members, the 13 products’ leaders, who have believed again in the power of an idea and not blown it off like a candle, are a powerful statement of what it means when people are convinced of the righteousness of a cause. Above all, the people and leadership of the Republic of Serbia have repeatedly received and welcomed me into their hotels, homes, and offices. Especially President Vucic and Minister of Trade Tomislav, who were kind to invite our President, allowing us two full days of intense work here. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. At the beginning of October 2022, when I came here at the start of winter and ran on the streets, seeing hundreds of young people clutching cups of coffee and cigarettes in one hand, I had a gut feeling—our country would bring good coffee here and change the tastes of these consumers. When I finally saw Chef Phillipe, the celebrated Michelin recommended five-star chef of the Balkans, in the Hub making a recipe out of the big Ugandan avocados and matooke, I was thankful that a small idea can take root when well-led. I believe, as President Museveni said, we are able to do more and open new gates of our exports and end the incompetence that has kept our growth in this sector down. Thank you all. #PACEID